How do you rate the food in latin america?

[Ricardo]

I have seen mostly Colombia and I say that much of what they eat on a daily basis is somewhat bland - to my taste, and very predictable.  Especially if you've had the chance to  eat in their homes. 
I think I have had all the arepas I want in this lifetime!  Pizzas, well, leave a lot to be desired, I like mine with tomato sauce. 
So guys, I would appreciate feedback on this topic - how do these countries rate?  The good, bad, and ulgy, if you please. 
Happy travels to all.  Thanks. 

[utopiacowboy]

I absolutely loathe Colombian food. Those people have no idea what they are doing in the kitchen - insipida comida. The only things I eat there are the fruit juices, the fresh fruit and the soups - all quite healthy and excellent. I always lose weight while I'm down there. Mexican food on the other hand, I love. Not just our own Tex-Mex but the food in Northern Mexico, it's delicious. 

[william3rd]

Colombian food was predictable and very boring. . . .
Panama was a lot better food-wise. . . .
Mexican-real mexican food- is awesome. . . . .
I may have to go to Peru on a research project. . . I am looking forward to the food.

[papi]

Some of the food in Colombia does taste like cardboard but I enjoy a few favorite dishes as long as they are served with a slice of avocado ..lol (another thread).  Seriously, I have had some wonderful home cooking and enjoy many of the foods local to the area.

For an abundance of  butt ugly women recommended by Ray and absolutely delicious food – go to Peru. 

Panama has truly wonderful coffee.  The beer sucks in all Latin countries

[el_ruso]

Mexican food, as in real mexican food from central mexico, is wonderful.  Well, I like spicy food.  They have arrachera (steak) or al pastor (pork).  I can eat that stuff every day.  Tex-Mex has a very passing resemblance to the central Mexican food.

I like CA food called pupusas revueltas: it is a large arepa with cheese and meat inside.  Their sauce is tasty even though not spicy.  And they come with their own verson of sourkraut which I like a lot.  And on top of that, this stuff is really cheap in Texas and Miami.

Ecuador has really good steaks for very cheap, and they don't pour the stupid sauce all over.  Try Llipingachas - it is mixed mashed potato or corn with cheese.  Very good.

Colombia has great food, you just need to know how to order it and where to go.  Bandeja Paisa is very good usually.  They tend to overcook steaks and then pour souce all over (common to LA).  I just learned to order steak only at good restaurants, explain that i want steak pink in the middle and with no sauce.  typically my dates would cringe at me eating anything other then overly well done though   For pizza in Cali try Karen's Pizza.  It is not expensive, and is one of the best pizzas I have tried.  And try their tamal - it is nothing like the Mexican version.  If in Cali, try a really good restaurant by the zoo.

Venezuela food I didn't like at all.  It is usually overcooked meat drowned in the sauce.

DR has good food, and fairly cheap.

Brazil has good steaks, and usually you can get a very big and good steak for under $10.  I would imagine Argentina has good steaks too.

[doombug]

The best food in LA: Peruvian

"The Economist magazine...reported in a January 2004 article that Peru could 'lay claim to one of the world's dozen or so great cuisines.'"

http://www.theperuguide.com/gastronomy.html

"Food aficionados are discovering that Peru is home to one of the great cuisines of the world. It is a cuisine that reflects the rich cultural heritage, diverse population and wide geographic reach of this former Empire of the Incas. Peruvian culinary traditions have been passed down through generations since ancient times and influenced by waves of settlers, from the 16th century Spaniards to the Chinese and Japanese immigrants of the early 1900's. Fresh fish and seafood of the rich Pacific water are prominent, as well as scores of exotic fruits and nuts of the Amazon jungle, the plant and animal life of the magnificent Andes mountains and some of the most unusual varieties of peppers on Earth. And of course, a centerpiece of Peruvian cuisine is the great crop gift that Peru gave the world: the potato.

"Today, Lima, the capital of Peru, is home to some of the finest, most sophisticated restaurants anywhere. The freshness of the ingredients and careful preparation that diners enjoy in this city, are second to none. Whether visiting a trendy power-lunch spot or an unassuming cevicheria, visitors agree that Lima is unquestionably one of the culinary mecca's of the world."

http://www.sonesta.com/peru1/page.asp?pageid=29666

I second that. Colombia may lure your heart with winning hot boddies, but Peru will rule your palate with unforgettable dishes.
 
The worst food in the world: Filipino

Dehydrated fish heads, stillborn chickens, and a plethora of rubbery organs in blood sauce...

[Please insert WAV audio file of upchuck sound effect here, please]

No thanks!

[papi]

The worst food in the world: Filipino

Dehydrated fish heads, stillborn chickens, and a plethora of rubbery organs in blood sauce...

LOL! I do hear they make great wives, speak English and are hot.

[doombug]

I do hear they make great wives, speak English and are hot.

There are a few smokin' pinay hotties out there, fo sho dat. And most every pinay I've worked with came across as very pleasant, genteel (though with a sense of humor), responsible, and family-oriented. On the flip side of flips (said endearingly ), and from what's been acknowledged by some of my pinay acquaintenances, they can be very vindictive to each other in their jealousies.   

And they do English and ginataan good.



[I know: it looks like barf. But it's quite the yummy treat.]

...and pancit. And lumpia. And chicken adobo. 

But that's about it--for me--as far as their food goes.

[Looking4Wife]

My experience is limited to Barranquilla.

I love my wife's cooking, her sister's cooking, and I enjoy the food at most of the restaurant's I go to.

Before meeting my wife, I also enjoyed food prepared for me at another novia's home.

Of course I have run across some dishes and some restaurant's that I didn't like, but overall I guess I'd have to say that my experience has been 2 thumbs up!

[Ricardo]

Looking4Wife - 

I would second that - food in Barranquilla; I liked a lot more than Bogota.  I spent a fair bit of time there and generally wasn't dissapointed with the food in restaurants - but then again I ate a lot of seafood there. 
Personally I prefer the food on the caribbean coast. 
I would love to try Peruvian food, tho'  -  from what has been said here. 

[Ray]

Dehydrated fish heads, stillborn chickens, and a plethora of rubbery organs in blood sauce...

Dammit Doom! You're making me hungry...     

[Jeff S]

I was thinking the same thing, Ray.    In fact, I had a fish head just last night.

I really like most Mexican food, especially the mariscos, but everything seems to use the same spices and flavors, so it gets to be a bit boring if eaten too often. A new Peruvian restaurant opend up near me, and the food is really outstanding. The Peruvian flavors are distinctive & subtle in comparison, and each dish tends to have it's own unique flavors. I'm impressed.

- Jeff

[JimmySTLOUIS]

Boy do I miss Peruvian food.

Here are some of my favoites
Arroz con pollo
Carapulcra
Asado de res
Pollada
Papa a la huancaina
Anticuchos
Lomo Saltado
Pan con Pollo
Chicharrones

going to Peru is something like when you were a kid and you went to visit grandma and grandpa in the country. Sitting down with the family and having great home cooked meals. There wasnt always something exciting to do every second but you always had fun and going to into town was an adventure.

I also miss the fresh bread rolls every moring. I walk to the bakery (1/2 block) for my quince panes frances for about 45 cents total (US)

TE AMO PERU!!!

jim

[Brainiac]

Peruvian cuisine is excellent.  There is a great "nouveau Peruvian" restaurant in San Francisco called Fresca.  It's on Fillmore.  Excellent food.  I think what makes peruvian food stand out is that they use chiles (ají se llama en Perú).  It really is a mix of influences from the Andes, Spain, China and Japan. 

Just don't drink the water and DON'T eat uncooked veggies.  Tourist diarrhea or even typhoid can result from eating a salad.  Be VERY careful where you eat in Peru.  I never got sick eating street food in Thailand, but I usually get sick on my trips to Peru. 

One restaurant that sounds like what the author of that article that Doomie posted in Lima is: El Señorio del Surco.  It´s a block or 2 north of LarcoMar on the coast road.  It´s not cheap even by American standards, but it serves the freshest food using traditional methods in a great atmosphere overlooking the ocean.  Lots of Peruvians know about La Rosa Nautica, a fancy, expensive restaurant on a pier below LarcoMar, but it is way overrated.  El Señorio is THE best restaurant I know of in Lima.  There could be others, but it could compete with any restaurant I´ve eaten anywhere in the world.

And Papi I am SOOOO happy you think that Peruvian women are "butt ugly" since that means no one my wife and I know there will have the displeasure of knowing you. 

[doombug]

You're making me hungry...     

 
Then this should push you over the edge:

Fish heads, Fish heads
Rolly polly Fish heads
Fish heads, Fish heads
Eat them up, Yummm

Fish heads, Fish heads
Rolly polly Fish heads
Fish heads, Fish heads
Eat them up, Yummm

In the morning
Laughing, happy
Fish Heads
In the evening
Floating in the soup



Fish heads, Fish heads
Rolly polly Fish heads
Fish heads, Fish heads
Eat them up, Yummm

Ask a Fish head
Anything you want to
They won't answer
They can't talk

Fish heads, Fish heads
Rolly polly Fish heads
Fish heads, Fish heads
Eat them up, Yummm

I took a Fish head
Out to see a movie
Didn't have to pay
To get it in

Fish heads, Fish heads
Rolly polly Fish heads
Fish heads, Fish heads
Eat them up, Yummm
They can't play baseball
They don't wear sweaters
They're not good dancers
They don't play drums

Fish heads, Fish heads
Rolly polly Fish heads
Fish heads, Fish heads
Eat them up, Yummm

Rolly polly Fish heads
Are never seen drinking
Cappacino in Italian restaurants
With Oriental women...Yeah

Fish heads, Fish heads
Rolly polly Fish heads
Fish heads, Fish heads
Eat them up, Yummm

Fish heads, Fish heads
Rolly polly Fish heads
Fish heads, Fish heads
Eat them up, Yummm...
(Yummm)

Fish heads, Fish heads
Rolly polly Fish heads
Fish heads, Fish heads
Eat them up, Yummm

Fish heads, Fish heads
Rolly polly Fish heads
Fish heads, Fish heads
Eat them up, Yummm
YEAH!!!!!!!

[papi]

I know: it looks like barf. But it's quite the yummy treat.

  LOL!

[valleydude]

Ahhh I have something good to say about Venezuela...

I love the hamburgers there! I eat maybe 3 hamburgers a year, but I could eat them every day there. Same with the icecream, it is totally different there.

V-Dude

[Montrealer]

Regarding Colombian food, it is horrible. 

They tend to overcook steaks and then pour souce all over (common to LA).

Overcooking steaks is common here, but I don't complain because I've seen some of the kitchens in some of the restaurants and there not very clean, so it is best for your health if the overcook it.  They don't have the same sanitation regulations that NA does.

[daytrader]

I really can't relate to many of the putdowns of Colombian food...the normal diet is loaded with carbs, however, with some gringo input that can be tweaked.  My Cali Diamond had me & my translator pick up some fish -- out of this world!  took her about 2 hours of cooking for this perfection - along with cocoa leche sauce on top of rice, it was to die for ....and not too many carbs. 

Generally, some of the rice dishes you buy eating out are pretty bland;  Ordered steak many times in Cali, never any sauces added, the meat generally comes from Argentina (at the restuarants we went to) and is out of this world! 

New to Colombia?  highly recommend the san cocho for lunch (Colombians seem to eat a big lunch and a light or no dinner)..it's good for you, and you'll lose weight and won't be hungry the rest of the day

best recommendation? ... find a latina that CAN cook...

Reporting LIVE from south Cali,

DayTrader

[Jamie]

You can always find some good dishes in a city but in Barranquilla I think the food preparation is horrible. You can bet if it didn’t taste bad it probably had an excess supply of bacteria. I am not sure if I ever met more then one or two people in the States that had food poisoning but here it seems quite common. I have also met a lot of young women with kidney problems that I am guessing must be related to bad liquids. For the most part the food is over cooked, probably left on the counter most of the day prior to being cooked. After the meal, the leftovers will take up the remaining day on the counter. Refrigeration seems to be a last resort. Salt is over used, the desserts are awful, chocolates are bad, tasty snacks are expensive (can anyone explain why peanut and nuts are more expensive then the States? Is there like a monopoly, surely they can grow that here), cheeses are bad, I think Tex-Mex has very mediocre Mexican food but I eat there because I don’t have any better options for Mexican food, fast-food (and I don’t really mean fast) is expensive, shrimp cost more than the States, Imported American food is two to three times higher, I’m guessing vegetables are trucked from the Bogotá area un-refrigerated based on how they look at the store, Pre package juices are expensive, forget about excellent pizza,  I can go on… be assured you won’t see a cook book of Colombian cuisine on the best sellers list. However regardless of how bad the restaurant food may be it is a guarantee that your date is going to think the food was great

[Ricardo]

Interestingly, many of the Colombians I've met almost unanimously affirm that food in Colombia is better than in the States - but then again what do they base their opinion on - very few, relatively,  have eaten in the U.S or outside their countr .  I would say fresh food (not meats) is ...  I love to shop for fruits in the markets, but can't stand the meats (little refrigeration, apparently unsanitary conditions).  I haven't gotten sick in many trips, but choose carefully what I eat.  I